Late Shoppers

By: Associated Press

Updated: Tue 12:38 PM, Dec 24, 2002

Times and customs change, but some things remain the same.

Men tend to be late shoppers. And late shoppers tend to be men.
And being late has its cost.

According to American Express 75 percent of the people who start Christmas shopping the week before Christmas are men. And 57 percent of customers on the night before Christmas are men.

Late shoppers will spend an average of $1,900 on Christmas gifts. Others will average about $1,600.

Shopping is one of several factors that can spoil people's holidays. Some experts say the best way to stay sane is to have reasonable expectations and know that things may not go according to plan.

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